Integrated Practical Project / School-Based Assessment
What the exam tests
Integrated Practical Project / School-Based Assessment tests the whole process: proposal, research, development, rehearsal, performance and evaluation. It rewards meaningful integration of performing arts disciplines and evidence of decisions, not only a polished final show.
Core rules
- Write a project brief: concept, disciplines, roles, audience, venue, budget, timeline and permissions.
- Research context and consult where needed; keep a process portfolio with minutes, rehearsal logs, drafts, feedback and changes.
- Plan rehearsals and technical checks; complete a risk assessment and budget.
- Integrate disciplines so they affect one another, not merely appear side by side.
- Evaluate with evidence: strengths, weaknesses, audience feedback, achievement against intention and next steps.
Worked example
An eight-week plan uses weeks 1-2 for research and consultation; 3-4 for devising and composition; 5-6 for rehearsals and technical work; week 7 for performance; week 8 for evaluation. Reasoning: each stage produces evidence; the integration check asks whether a live music cue changes the dance phrase and whether a drama scene uses the same spatial motif. If it does not, the project is revised before performance.
Traps that cost marks
Only submitting the final performance; no process evidence; token integration; missing risk assessment or budget; plagiarism; no evaluation or next steps.